The anniversary was celebrated at a gala held at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja, with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Special Guest of Honour. The President was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.
The milestone celebration brought together government officials, business leaders, representatives of the Coca-Cola system, employees and other stakeholders to reflect on NBC’s seven-and-a-half decades of operations and its contribution to Nigeria’s manufacturing and distribution ecosystem.
Representing the President, Akume congratulated NBC on its 75th anniversary and commended the Coca-Cola system for maintaining investments in Nigeria.
He stressed the importance of companies that continue to produce locally, develop Nigerian talent and strengthen domestic supply chains.
“Seventy-five years ago, Nigerian Bottling Company began a journey in Lagos. Tonight, we celebrate what that journey has produced. But more importantly, we look forward to what the next chapter can bring: more investment, stronger industries, better jobs, deeper local production and greater opportunities for Nigerians,” Akume said.
He added: “We welcome companies willing to produce in Nigeria, develop Nigerian talent, strengthen local supply chains and contribute to the communities in which they operate.”
FROM EBUTE METTA TO A NATIONAL NETWORK
NBC began production in Ebute Metta, Lagos, in 1951. Seventy-five years later, the company has expanded its footprint to eight plants, 11 depots and 52 commercial territories across the country.
The company's operations support activities across manufacturing, logistics, distribution and retail, while its broader value chain links it to suppliers and businesses operating in several other sectors of the economy.
Chairman of Coca-Cola HBC, Anastassis G. David, said the decision by Anastasios Leventis in 1951 to secure Coca-Cola bottling rights for Nigeria was based on confidence in the country's long-term prospects.
“In 1951, Anastasios Leventis negotiated the rights for the whole of Nigeria. It was a big, bold decision, but it was also a statement of belief. Belief in Nigeria, as a country of exceptional importance, scale and prospect. Belief in its people—in communities across the nation. And belief in what could be achieved by investing for the long term,” he said.
David said that confidence in Nigeria remained strong, describing the anniversary as an opportunity to look beyond the company's history and toward its future contribution to the country.
Chairperson of NBC's Board, Sola David-Borha, said the company's longevity had been underpinned by trust, consistency and sound governance.
$1BN COCA-COLA SYSTEM CONTRIBUTION
The anniversary came against the backdrop of a recent economic impact study by Steward Redqueen, which estimated that the Coca-Cola system generated approximately $1 billion in value-added economic activity across its Nigerian value chain in 2024.
The study also estimated that the system supported more than 160,000 jobs, including nearly 3,000 direct positions and approximately 157,200 jobs across sectors such as retail, agriculture, manufacturing, transportation and services.
It further reported that the Coca-Cola system sourced almost $601 million worth of goods and services from Nigerian suppliers during the year.
The figures highlight the wider economic activity generated beyond NBC's direct workforce and manufacturing facilities, particularly through distributors, retailers, suppliers, farmers, transport operators and service providers connected to the company's operations.
$1BN INVESTMENT PLAN
Managing Director of NBC, Goran Sladic, said the company's 75th anniversary represented more than its longevity as a business, describing it as seven decades of growing alongside Nigeria.
“Seventy-five years of Nigerian Bottling Company is 75 years of growing with Nigeria. We are proud of the role we have played in creating opportunities, developing people, supporting communities and strengthening local value chains,” Sladic said.
“As we look to the future, our ambition is to build on that legacy and continue creating value for years to come,” he added.
Chief Executive Officer of Coca-Cola HBC, Zoran Bogdanovic, meanwhile, reaffirmed the Group's commitment to Nigeria and said the anniversary reflected the company's long-standing relationship with the country.
“This is a remarkable milestone for any company. For us, it represents far more than longevity. It reflects a shared history with Nigeria, a country where Coca-Cola HBC’s story began, and a history of which we are very proud,” Bogdanovic said.
He disclosed that the Coca-Cola system was continuing to implement its 2024 commitment to invest up to $1 billion in Nigeria over five years, subject to a predictable and enabling business environment.
According to Bogdanovic, investment had already begun to expand manufacturing capacity at the company's Asejire Plant in Oyo State and Challawa Plant in Kano State.
The projects are expected to increase production capacity while supporting demand in Nigeria's growing consumer market and creating additional opportunities for businesses within the local manufacturing and supply chain ecosystem.
$1.25M FOR YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS
As part of the anniversary activities, Bogdanovic announced a $1.25 million commitment from the Coca-Cola HBC Foundation to support young Nigerian entrepreneurs over the next three years.
The programme will target entrepreneurs in the hospitality and food service sectors, providing business grants, entrepreneurship training, support for business formalisation and mentorship.
“Through this initiative, we hope to help create new opportunities for young entrepreneurs and support the long-term growth of Nigeria’s hospitality and food service sector,” Bogdanovic said.
The initiative forms part of Coca-Cola HBC's wider social investment activities in Nigeria, which include programmes focused on youth and women empowerment, access to clean water, environmental sustainability, waste collection and recycling.
The Coca-Cola Foundation has also committed $1.25 million to support more sustainable water solutions expected to benefit thousands of Nigerians.
COCA-COLA REAFFIRMS PARTNERSHIP
Also speaking at the event, CEO of The Coca-Cola Company, Henrique Braun, highlighted the longstanding relationship between The Coca-Cola Company and Coca-Cola HBC, describing collaboration with bottling partners as central to creating economic and social value in communities.
“One of the Coca-Cola system’s greatest strengths is how we work together with our bottling partners to create value for the communities we serve,” Braun said.
He said the Coca-Cola Foundation was separately supporting initiatives aimed at expanding access to safe water in Lagos and Abuja.
“As NBC marks 75 years, we’re proud to celebrate this milestone and continue growing with Nigeria,” he said.
With its 75-year history now extending across multiple generations of Nigerians, NBC enters its next phase with commitments spanning manufacturing expansion, local sourcing, employment, entrepreneurship and community development.
The company's anniversary therefore comes not only as a celebration of its past but also as a renewed pledge by the Coca-Cola system to deepen its presence in Nigeria and expand the economic opportunities linked to its operations.